must probably be

USAGE SUMMARY

"must probably be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are unsure of something but think it might be true. For example: "It must probably be true that the exam will be postponed due to the bad weather."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

I would say my most used piece of kit must probably be my thermo blender.

Independent

It's an unusual premise and some of the acting isn't bad, but the story is messy and unsatisfying with a plot-hole you could drive a dozen combine harvesters through, the ending is an outrageous fudge and the lead performance from Dennis Quaid is strange to say the least – for which responsibility must probably be shared between director and actor.

The Guardian - Film

Altogether, the rate of response in the survey was 11.6%; this relatively low magnitude must probably be attributed to the complexity of the survey design, and it brings up selectivity concerns.

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

The reasons for this observation are unclear but the low sensitivity of the tests for differential expression [2] that produces the well known effect of the instability in the signatures [3] and the questionable reproducibility or results [4] must probably be among the causes.

Plosone

Thawed plasma must probably be used within 4 to 6 hours after release.

Annals of Intensive Care

Therefore, the sensitivity of this parameter to inflammation-associated peptidase/proteolytic activities must probably be evaluated for each SRM assay.

Clinical Proteomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

For the haplotype network reconstruction, the single haplotypes sequenced from the non-heteroplasmic individuals were discarded since those must most probably be the result of a polymerase error as shown in the previous tests.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

However, it depends largely on context, and because a soundscape may be appropriate to a place although it is poor, this descriptor must probably not be used on its own.

Landscape and Urban Planning

But when the mining splurge turns, as it must, there will probably be significant quarterly declines in investment even as the level of spending stays high.

The New York Times

The threshold values we reported must probably therefore be interpreted with cautious.

Critical Care

"If I had to choose only one must-have travel item, it would probably be my iPhone.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, consider the context and audience. In formal settings, ensure that the level of uncertainty conveyed aligns with the expectations of the situation. In informal settings, it adds a touch of sophistication to your statements.

Common error

Avoid using "must probably be" when you have definitive proof. The phrase implies a degree of doubt, so if you're certain, use a stronger expression like "is definitely" or "is certainly".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must probably be" functions as an epistemic modal expression. It combines the modal verb 'must', indicating a logical necessity or strong inference, with the adverb 'probably', which weakens the force of the 'must', indicating a high degree of likelihood rather than absolute certainty, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "must probably be" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as also stated by Ludwig. It serves to express a likely conclusion with an acknowledgment of uncertainty. Ludwig's examples show that it's most frequently used in science and news media, and its register is generally neutral to formal. When using this phrase, be mindful of the level of certainty you wish to convey and avoid using it when you have definitive proof. Consider related phrases like "must likely be" or "should probably be" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must likely be

Substitutes "probably" with "likely", offering a slightly more direct expression of probability.

must arguably be

Replaces "probably" with "arguably", suggesting the statement is open to debate or different perspectives.

must evidently be

Uses "evidently" instead of "probably", indicating that the conclusion is supported by clear evidence.

must certainly be

Replaces "probably" with "certainly", expressing a higher degree of confidence.

must surely be

Using "surely" instead of "probably", implying a strong expectation based on available knowledge.

must necessarily be

Indicates that something is required or unavoidable, shifting the focus from probability to logical necessity.

should probably be

Replaces "must" with "should", softening the level of obligation or certainty.

is likely to be

Omits "must" entirely and uses "is likely to be", creating a less forceful statement of probability.

can reasonably be

Suggests something is a fair assumption; conveys permissibility to infer something, not a definite or even highly probable conclusion.

is possibly

Expresses possibility, but omits the sense of obligation present in "must".

FAQs

How can I use "must probably be" in a sentence?

The phrase "must probably be" is used to express a likely conclusion or assumption based on available information, acknowledging a degree of uncertainty. For example, "Given the evidence, that explanation "must probably be" the correct one."

What are some alternatives to "must probably be"?

Alternatives to "must probably be" include phrases such as "must likely be", "is likely to be", or "should probably be", which convey varying degrees of certainty and obligation.

Is "must probably be" grammatically correct?

Yes, "must probably be" is grammatically correct. It combines a modal verb ("must") with an adverb of probability ("probably") to express a qualified assertion.

What is the difference between "must probably be" and "must certainly be"?

"Must probably be" expresses a high degree of likelihood with some room for doubt, while "must certainly be" expresses near certainty. The choice depends on the level of confidence you wish to convey.